James Lawton Collins
James Lawton Collins | |
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(granddaughter) |
James Lawton Collins (December 10, 1882 – June 30, 1963) was a
Biography
Family and early life
Collins was born into a large
Jeremiah worked his way up to running the stables for the delivery wagons, and eventually married Kate Lawton, his employer's daughter. They moved across the river to Algiers, near the terminus and rail repair shops of the
James was not tall, about 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), but he was agile, athletic, and good with horses. Later in life, he would come to the attention of Gen.
He had told his son that his first flight occurred in 1911 in the Philippines, perched on the wing of a Wright plane, with
Military career
Collins enrolled in
During the
During the war Collins commanded a
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) James Lawton Collins (ASN: 0-2274), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As aide-de-camp to the Commander in Chief, as line officer on duty with troops, and as Secretary of the General Staff of the American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Collins displayed a thorough knowledge of every duty with which he was entrusted. With tireless energy, keen perception, and able execution of his manifold duties he rendered especially meritorious services to the American Expeditionary Forces.[6]
Later he served as Defense Attaché to the Kingdom of Italy in Rome from 1928 to 1932.[5]
During World War II he commanded the Puerto Rico Department and the 5th Service Command at Columbus, Ohio.
Collins retired as a major general in 1946. Upon his death he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.[7]
References
- ^ Venzon 2013, p. 153.
- ^ Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins passes away aged 90 Irish Central, April 28, 2021.
- ^ Collins 2009, p. 7.
- ^ Venzon 2013, pp. 153–154.
- ^ a b Venzon 2013, p. 154.
- ^ "Valor awards for James L. Collins". Military Times.
- ^ Burial Detail: Collins, James L (section 34, grave 970) – ANC Explorer
Sources
- Barnes, Bart (May 12, 2002). "James Collins Jr., 84; General, Military Historian". Los Angeles Times.
His father, Maj. Gen. James Lawton Collins, was an aide de camp to Gen. John J. Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.
- Collins, Michael (2009). ISBN 9780374531942.
- Ancell, R. Manning; Miller, Christine (1996). The Biographical Dictionary of World War II Generals and Flag Officers: The US Armed Forces. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. OCLC 33862161.
- Venzon, Anne Cipriano (2013). The United States in the First World War: an Encyclopedia. Hoboken, NJ: Taylor and Francis. OCLC 865332376.
External links
- Portrait of James L. Collins. 1933 from the United States Military Academy Library at West Point
- "James Lawton Collins – Major General, United States Army". ArlingtonCemetery.net. February 14, 2023. An unofficial website.
- Generals of World War II